COMMUNICATION & CONNECTING WITH RESPONSE PARTNERS

During an emergency, maintaining effective and open communication channels among water system personnel, as well as among system personnel and response partners, is extremely challenging. Often, the importance of building solid communication pathways is not adequately emphasized. As stated in the provided ERP templates, make sure your system:

1. Maintains current emergency contact lists; including an internal list which notes all system personnel, and an external list which notes all other entities who may act as a response partner. An external contact list should include (but not be limited to):

• Critical Customers
  - Examples include hospitals, clinics, and daycares
• Local Emergency Responders
  - Examples include Police station, Fire station, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
• Vendors for Replacement Equipment & Chemical supplies
• Alternate Water Suppliers
• Power Utility, Gas/Oil Supplier
• DEC Drinking Water Program
• Community and/or Borough Planning Committee, or Emergency Operations Center
  Most systems are located in a community that has a Community-wide Emergency Response Plan. That community may then participate at the borough level with a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). The fact that there are multiple groups which maintain their own ERP can be confusing. However, it is important to integrate and collaborate with these available planning committees and/or Emergency Operations Centers – often there are response networks already established that you can take advantage of!
  
  
  
• Local & State Public Health Dept
• Health Corporations/Regional Environmental Health Officer (as applicable)
• Mutual Aid Networks
  The Alaska Water/Wastewater Agency response Network (AKWARN) is a network of utilities helping other utilities to respond to and recover from emergencies. AKWARN provides a forum for establishing and maintaining emergency contacts within the water sector – who better to help you recover from an emergency than a fellow water system?

2. Establish Communication Pathways It is not sufficient to simply maintain a list of who to call when help is needed –it is imperative to build a rapport with the entities on your external emergency contact list. This will enable you to understand what abilities and resources they can bring to the table, and know when and how to get in touch with them.
Additionally, develop protocols for when and how to communicate with the Media and Public (the Drinking Water Program should be contacted prior to issuing drinking water advisories to the public). Please reference the provided ERP template for more information on this topic.

3. Know How to Work With Response Partners The Incident Command System (ICS) is the official emergency management system of the federal government and the State of Alaska. Many communities and private entities have also adopted ICS as their emergency management system. As ICS maintains its own "lingo," and employs a specific organizational structure, understanding the basics of ICS prior to an incident is beneficial. Online classes/certifications are available on the FEMA website.

* IS-100.PWb – Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100) for Public Works Personnel is a solid course to start with.